Fooled by Birds

Back in 2005 on the 3rd thrusday of the hunting season there were 5 of us hunting. The day before there had been a 6" blizzard had hit KS. It was still quite chilly and the snow had blown into small piles all over and knocked the CRP field we were in down to an average of calf to knee height clumps. It was the first year I had my golden retreiver hunting pheasant in KS, he didn't quite know what was up but he sure liked the smells in this field. Our group dispursed into the field just going around kicking clumps and notta. I followed my dog and he really acted birdy but nothing so I didn't know if he knew what really was up. Eventually we all ended up in about a 50' circle and we all looking at each other wondering where the birds might be for another hunt. We chatted and about 2 minutes and suddenly a rooster gets up between all of us surprising everyone; one guy was quick enough to get off a shot, hit it and when the shot went off 6 more birds all got up within our circle and they all flew off un-touched. Wouldn't you know it but when the other birds all got up we took our eye off the first one that dropped and we couldn't even find it after that flurry of birds:(
 
Last September grouse hunting in ND. I saw a grouse fly over the hill where in to a location where there are two thickets. First thicket Ranger goes on point, I stomped it out good no bird. I just figured he landed there and went to the second thicket. The dog wouldn't leave, and he'll roll his eyes up at me and look back to where the bird is. "dummy right there" I still couldn't get the bird to fly. I released him to flush the bird, he came out with a face full of porcupine quills wagging his tail. He had quills from the center of his nose to up around his eye. The vet who pulled out the quills we couln't get said it was a small porcupine, two hours at the vet and 6 staples later the vet got all the quills out of the danger areas. I pulled 8 more that worked their way out in next 3 days. Now he doesn't get very close to a porcupine, skunk, or possum.
 
Ranger Danger, In my experience there are two kinds of dogs, the ones who bugger skunks and porcupines and the ones who don't. My buddies English Setter could never resist a good go at a porcupine. Many of evening sitting around the camp on the prairie picking quills. It's the ones in the mouth I really detest. I am surprised to hear your dog learned, the setter I referred to would have a go at least annuallyher whole life. They must smell really interesting, or bring out the fight in some dogs. This setter never chased a rabbit or any other "furred" game. But man she loved porcupines!
 
As to the issue of the post originally, I get fooled so often I have developed selective amnesia, and can't recall all the stinging insults to my intellegence and skills, I have been dealt by pheasants. I do believe that you are fooled less by pheasants depending upon the skill and experience of your canine companion. A good dog really makes you smarter than you are!
 
I was hunting some years ago with a buddy and some friends of his from work. We had hunted together for many years and we got along famously. His friends from work, not so much. He, as did I, figured out early that this would be our one and only trip with these huckelberries. They had very little hunting experience, but thought they knew everything. You know the type. Anyway we had started hunting our fields away from them with our dogs, they had none. We noticed that one of them shot a rooster. He was very proud, letting out a guttural growl. As we walked we noticed that they were nearing the truck. The guy with the bird took of his game vest and set it on the tailgate. They were sitting there smoking and having a drink when we noticed the bird exit the game vest and start to run off. They grabbed their guns and missed it several times as it flew to freedom. I almost pissed myelf with laughter. How freakin funny.
 
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